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Redskins Know Home-Game Wins Are a Must

From talking with people in the organization the last couple of days, the Redskins really need to win their FedEx Field opener Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.

It's one thing to lose to the formidable New York Giants on the road to open the season, but losing to the Rams would send a chill throughout Redskins Park. Not only were the Rams awful last season (2-14), they were routed, 28-0, by the Seattle Seahawks in their opener. This is a game the Redskins must win.

"We've talked a lot about taking care of business at home this year," quarterback Jason Campbell said. "Not that we didn't want to handle our business at home last year, we did, but we didn't do what we needed to at home. This year, it's really something were even focused on more."

The Redskins were only .500 in their eight games at FedEx last season. Their low point actually occurred against the Rams on Oct. 12 - a stunning 19-17 loss after the Redskins had won four straight. Washington also lost on their home field to Dallas, Pittsburgh and the Giants. The loss to St. Louis, winless in four games to that point, was the worst for the Redskins, who committed three turnovers in the game.

Washington's offense, which set a league record in having no turnovers in the first five games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, lost three fumbles - including one by left guard Pete Kendall just before halftime that cornerback Oshiomogho Atogwe returned 75 yards for the Rams' only touchdown.

"That was a really tough game," Campbell said. "We can't have that happen. We have to take care of the football.

We've got to execute and play the way we're capable of playing. Everybody just has to take care of what they have to do and stick together."

South Hill, Va.: Jason Campbell has stated how he is much more comfortable in the shot gun formation. Should Jim Zorn consider running the shot gun exclusively in the same way Bobby Bowden did with Florida State when Charlie Ward was his quarterback? Florida State won a national championship that year.

Tom Boswell: I've made this point before. Campbell is comfortable in the shotgun. Part of "loosening up" the offense and trusting Campbell more is letting him use a hurry-up offense at times, be more in control of play calling and also not be forced into the 'gun by third and long. I just did the stats for last Sunday.

Against the Giants from the shotgun, Campbell was 15-for-17 for 161 yards and a touchdown. He also had a 16-yrd scramble. Or 18 snaps for 171 yards. An averageof 9.5-per-pla.Both the Redskins best drives, at the end of each half, were keyed by Campbell in the gun.

Otherwise, Campbell was 4-for-9 for 50 yards, an interception and 3 sacks for -24 yards. Or 12 snaps 26 yards. An average of 2.2 yards a play.
******

I'm totally on the same page as Boswell. But what amazes me is how many people up here are on the same page. DO WHAT WORKS!!! Is it really so complicated? Almost every poster up here gets it.

excerpt from the ZEKE'S UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES (posted yesterday)

Oh what a conundrum we are in. So, how does this team move forward? Simple. From now to whenever the BYE is, throw the ball 40+ times a game. Campbell's got 3 receivers he knows and 1 new guy who needs the work. Line Jason up in the shotgun. A lot. This WCO offense designed by Zorn doesn't look like much, so look at what works with our talent.

We play a bunch of modest defenses and if Campbell is going to take the proverbial next step, this is the window of opportunity.

zj, he didn't need a breather during the first series....so not to bring reality into this, but you wanna try again??

I love how shortsighted people have become regarding AH, I mean its laughable, it really is. As SOON as this guy hits the sideline, people practically crap their pants, "WE'RE PAYING HIM 100 MILLION"...

He played more than 70 percent of the defensive snaps, while facing double teams the MAJORITY of the plays...but he's out of shape...

wow....

Posted by: BeantownGreg1 | September 17, 2009 10:11 AM | Report abuse

Gotta go with Bean on this one.

I think one key indicator of AH's effectiveness in Game 1 was the fact that Fletch had 18 tackles.

One of the things you want/need from a monster DT is to eat up blockers and wear them out and keep your LBs free/unmolested to fly around and make plays.

Both Fletch and Rocky had nice games, and I think that's directly related to what AH is doing in front of them.

I'm also of the mindset that it's good to rotate in some fresh DTs. Let AH wear them out and bring in some well-rested guys for a knock out punch.

I think that game, and the home loss to Dallas were the ones that killed us.

I know people will cite the Cincy game, but most every team is due for one good clunker on the road and that was ours.

The Dallas game in particular pissed me off. We just didn't seem up for it. Romo was coming back rusty from a broken finger; it was our divisional rival and we could have really delivered a knock-out blow to them on our home turf.

I am not saying Landry isn't hot/cold or reaching his potential....or is it me or was he directly responsible for the defensive play/turnover that set up the Skins to be in position to win regardless of previous putrid play?

"Interesting theory, and anyone who saw Albert Haynesworth take to the sidelines in the early moments of Sunday's game -- or take a knee on the sidelines in some of the later moments -- was no doubt wondering the same thing. In fact, I was, too."

He did go to the sidelines in the first drive, but I don't care about it, I thought AH played well and was a force. My point wasn't that he is or isn't out of shape, I don't know enough about it to say one way or the other, it coulda been a coaches call or maybe not, but he didn't go out in the first series. My point is this, when people are questioning your teams conditioning and when you get handled easily by your division rival, and poor blocking and tackling are directly related to the loss (Manningham TD, Tuck knifing through unblocked to stuff CP in the Red Zone) which often suggest fatigue but whether it was fatigue or not point to poor fundamentals. The coach shouldn't be worried about doing things to keep the players loose (i.e.- pumping in rap music during practice) he ought to be worried about doing things to tighten up their fundamentals and get them ready to play hard. When the announcers of the game are saying the opponents have come out with more intensity and a bigger sense of urgency and then your own radio coverage guys question your conditioning and effort whether accurate or not there is a serious problem that isn't going to be fixed by "staying loose".

cl, agreed he caused that int, but I'd like to see that much more often...of course if Los could hold onto a pick here and there, that'd be nice too. I'd like to see Landry not going for the kill shot, and missing, rather wrapping guys up...just much more consistant play from LL...

Despite our offensive hiccups I seriously and fully expect our defense to dominate the Rams. But Blache needs to turn up the heat a lot more than last week. I love great d more than anything. Here's hoping Orakpo gets his first sack (or 5) this Sunday.

Guru, he made the stuff on 4th down, he ripped Bradshaw's head off, he played over 70% of the snaps, and we were dramatically better against the run this year over last, AH played well and made a difference. My whole point was directed at Zorn and his seeming lack of caring about how bad things looked or how soft his team played and he rewards that by doing yet another thing to keep them soft and loose instead of focused and angry. I just don't feel like any of them walked away from that game with the taste in their mouth they should have, all of them we just like "well the Giants are a good team and its only the first game" its like they didn't expect to win themselves and that's what sad. No fire what-so-ever......

Despite our offensive hiccups I seriously and fully expect our defense to dominate the Rams. But Blache needs to turn up the heat a lot more than last week. I love great d more than anything. Here's hoping Orakpo gets his first sack (or 5) this Sunday.

Posted by: pgugino | September 17, 2009 12:15 PM

I love the optomism, but the Rams offense is going to have its way with the Skins D.

As for Orapko getting a sack, The Danny moved him to linebacker. He is a natural defensive end. No sacks for him this week, and maybe a total of 3 this entire season.

Remember, we don't get sacks. The starting defense has gotten 2 (THAT IS TWO!) sacks in all of the entire pre-season and first regular season games combined.

Do not expect more than a single sack on Sunday. However, with our offensive line... you may see your 5 sacks, but they will be recored by the Rams.

On Albert -- its not just what % of plays he is in there, but how those plays are distributed. Is it -- play 3 plays, take 2 off, or play 5 plays take 3 off. Or is it smarter to have him take a series off?

Obviously, the correct answer is:
play 3 plays and send out the punt return team ...

Still, given how well the jints controlled the ball, not surprised our players were out of fuel.

I just don't feel like any of them walked away from that game with the taste in their mouth they should have, all of them we just like "well the Giants are a good team and its only the first game" its like they didn't expect to win themselves and that's what sad. No fire what-so-ever......

But he is a lifelong Redskins fan. The kid bleeds burgundy and gold. I know him personally, and he's also a decent human being. If you were a stranger on the street and needed a hand, he would be the first to help you.

"Against the Giants from the shotgun, Campbell was 15-for-17 for 161 yards and a touchdown. He also had a 16-yrd scramble. Or 18 snaps for 171 yards. An averageof 9.5-per-pla.Both the Redskins best drives, at the end of each half, were keyed by Campbell in the gun.Otherwise, Campbell was 4-for-9 for 50 yards, an interception and 3 sacks for -24 yards. Or 12 snaps 26 yards. An average of 2.2 yards a play."

Except Boz presumes this is because Campbell is better in the shotgun. But the gun is an offense geared to obvious passing situations. That's why Jason got 16 yards on a rush attempt -- the defense was spread the wrong way. Would the shotgun produce as well on, say, second and three in the third quarter?

Using the gun forty times a game means sacrificing ball control and time of possession for the threat of a quick score. And the big risk is INTs.

You know why Jason does better in the shotgun? Because his pass pro hasn't been very good.

FEDEX Field officials released a press statement this morning advising anyone planning to attend Sunday's NFL match between the Washington Redskins and St Louis Rams to visit any of the numerous portapotties that will be located outside the gates before entering the stadium. They also ask attendees to take several deep breaths before entering the stadium.

While stadium officials said they have in fact corrected the plumbing problems that plagued an August rock concert at the stadium, they are still concerned that some attendees at Sunday's game may confuse the stench coming from the Washington side of the playing field with the smell of backed up drains and raw sewage.

According to one stadium official, "By acclimating our fans to the taste and smell of the portapotties, we hope they'll be more patient and understanding when it comes to watching the offensive unit take the field."

I understand that people hate the owner, but saying "The Danny moved him to linebacker" is just gratuitous BS. Greg Blache, the defensive coordinator, and Kirk Olivadotti, the linebackers coach, are the two people most directly responsible for coaching BOrak up. If you want to hold people accountable, make sure you're talking about the right people. Don't deflect criticism onto the owner for COACHING decisions. He's not dialing down from the owner's box telling Blache that he wants to see more Orakpo at the SAM.

As for Orakpo, I say reserve judgment on the linebacker experiment. The Giants O-Line is the best in football. If he has a 3 sack coming out party this Sunday, all of this second-guessing looks foolish. Stop rooting for failure.

I don't think the skins went into last week's game thinking had a chance to win. I do think the Rams believe this is a winnable game for them. Skins aren't very good and could easily lose this game. Should be a close game throughout with the skins coming from behind to win.